RCCL Allure versus Disney Dream

[kj55]

We are trying to decide which cruise would be best for our 5 and 3 year old boys. We have been on RCCL with my son at 18months (Freedom) and on Disney with both this year (Magic). On Disney the entertainment, characters etc were great for kids BUT the kids club for younger kids is disorganized (all ages together) and the councellors not involved. Wondering how kids clubs are on Allure and Oasis. Also wondering about the pool areas on Allure and mealtimes for younger kids. Any help would be great.

[bajathree]

Kids that age I would definitely say Disney.

[CariBear]

I have not been on the Disney Dream, but I have been on the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder as well as Oasis of the Seas. From previous experience with the kids club on these ships I would say go with Allure. I found the Disney kid's clubs to be too overwhelming for younger children.... not enough personalized care.....and like you mentioned disorganized for the younger ones. On Oasis there were only about 10 children in my son's age group, 3-5. The counselors knew him by name and comforted him when we would drop him off to play for a while as he is very shy. They had the cutest Circus Parade on the Boardwalk for his age group. He absolutely loved the carousel and the H2O Zone.

 

The pools on the Disney ships are not large enough for the sheer number of children that sail with Disney. Unfortunately the have not fixed this on the Dream as the pools are still tiny yet there are many more children/passengers onboard.

 

I would choose Allure or Oasis over the Dream for the more organized and personalized children's program for the 3-5 age group as well as the great H2O Zone and carousel.

 

Edited to add: As far as dining goes my kids would usually eat at the Wipeout Cafe around 4:30pm before they closed or we would order room service for them. My 3 year old would go to dinner with us on several evenings as we had MTD. Lots of food choices for the kids and the servers loved to dote on them as they miss their own children at home. He would usually fall asleep in his chair by the end of he meal. You could also take them to the WJ when they first open and then have a late dinner using MTD for just the two of you.... after dropping the little ones at AO.

[Marie51]

If you've been on Disney and the counselers were not involved and the kids club was disorganized then you've answered your own question.

[Tiggercat]

Too many kids on the Disney cruise and the ships are not any way close to the standard of Allure! RCCL has stolen the market for the kids as far as I am concerned and it is cheaper!!!

[Marie51]

Too many kids on the Disney cruise and the ships are not any way close to the standard of Allure! RCCL has stolen the market for the kids as far as I am concerned and it is cheaper!!!

 

Agree completely.

[Cruisegirl6]

I have been on 46 cruises in my life (I am 48) and I have to say everytime we are docked next to a disney cruise ship, there is way way too many kids and young ones in strollers on a disney cruise.

 

My girlfriend and husband (both in their 50's) only take disney cruises, says the food and entertainment is very good, but you need to consider a few things as certain things do not appeal to me that prevents me from ever trying a disney cruise.

 

1- Do you mind being around so many kids

2- Do you want the casino because a disney cruise does not have a casino

3- Do you want to be seated in the dining room with children

4- Do you want to see mickey mouse and other disney characters around the ship

5- The ship has things that are shaped like the disney characters such as the pool may have mickey mouses head shape...

 

I not a child hater at all I love children and especially babies, but mine are grown and I rather have a more adult cruise where I can meet up and talk and get friendly with couples....its just me, I hate when kids run around the ship, play with the elevators and scream just not for me.

 

Its just a few things you need to consider, as for RC I LOVE IT OVERALL!!!

[beckyleighwv]

I'm not sure if this is an issue, but I have heard that the Oasis and Allure have a pool area for kids that aren't yet potty trained. I'm not sure about the Disney ships...

[Friend100]

I have been on the Disney Dream. The Magic or Wonder can't even be compared to her. I love it. I have been on Liberty OTS but not Allure/Oasis yet.

 

Dream is 3/4/5 days Bahamas, Allure is 7-days. Both are good choice IMO. I loved Castaway Cay much much more than Labadee though.

 

If you have not been to a DCL cruise I would strongly recommend the Dream. If you still don't get it, just imagine a floating WDW.

 

Have fun!

[Friend100]

I have been on 46 cruises in my life (I am 48) and I have to say everytime we are docked next to a disney cruise ship, there is way way too many kids and young ones in strollers on a disney cruise.

 

My girlfriend and husband (both in their 50's) only take disney cruises, says the food and entertainment is very good, but you need to consider a few things as certain things do not appeal to me that prevents me from ever trying a disney cruise.

 

1- Do you mind being around so many kids

2- Do you want the casino because a disney cruise does not have a casino

3- Do you want to be seated in the dining room with children

4- Do you want to see mickey mouse and other disney characters around the ship

5- The ship has things that are shaped like the disney characters such as the pool may have mickey mouses head shape...

 

I not a child hater at all I love children and especially babies, but mine are grown and I rather have a more adult cruise where I can meet up and talk and get friendly with couples....its just me, I hate when kids run around the ship, play with the elevators and scream just not for me.

 

Its just a few things you need to consider, as for RC I LOVE IT OVERALL!!!

 

Very true, and I am completely the opposite and those things you identify up there are what appeal me and my family. :)

[Cruisegirl6]

My girlfriend who is 52 also loves the disney character theme, but we are all different. I guess living in Florida myself and been at disney I just seen it over and over just got tired of the same things thats all.

 

I also didn't care much for Labadee but their other island Coco Cay is very nice better. :)

[Uri1961]

Too many kids on a disney ship??? Huh??

 

Its a Disney cruise!!!

 

Go for the Dream!!!

[stlcruise]

We sailed on the Dream a couple weeks ago with our 4 yr old DS. The Dream is a beautiful ship, but I was very disappointed with the kids program. It was total chaos and disorganized :confused:. Kids 3-10 were free to run around any where in the Oceaneers Club. He didn't want to spend much time in there. He likes a more structured kids program with kids his own age. Way too many kids on the ship, pool was overcrowded and small and it was "off season" :eek:. The shows and Castaway Cay were fantastic. I would go with RCCL. We'll be sailing on the Oasis next month :p.

 

Kimberly

[TheGenie]

Our family of 5 with now older kids of 17, 15, and 11 chose the Allure over the Dream for this summer:

 

1) Known costs (we could sail for 7 nights on Allure versus 5 nights on Dream) in comparable cabins, and save enough to do a few nights at Disney World (if we wanted).

 

Our "known" costs for the Allure works out to be $168.36 per person, per day = Cruise + Taxes + Tips + one Johnny Rockets Lunch + one Rita Cantina Lunch + Soda plan for whole family.

 

Our "known" costs for the DCL Dream works out to be $238.84 per person, per day = Cruise + Taxes + Tips.

 

That add$ up fa$t for a family of 5...do the math!

 

And 2), We have exclusively sailed DCL before, and wanted to try RCI on a their newest ship

 

We will try the Dream in summer 2012, but DCL prices are really hard to take in this economy :(

[bus man]

there is way way too many kids and young ones in strollers on a disney cruise.

 

Yeah, I know what you mean. My neighborhood playground is the same way; totally overrun with screaming little rugrats running every which way. And darned if I can get a table at Chuck-E-Cheese anymore without some loudmouth little tot next to me. And every time I go to the circus, it's just wall-to-wall kids. I had hoped to enjoy a quiet, intimate evening at the Raffi concert, but wouldn't you know it, the joint was lousy with the little tykes.

 

So yeah, I know where you're coming from.

[TwoTravelin]

Let me just add that with the addition of the Dreamworks characters, the Allure has just the right mix of sophistication and family friendliness.

[bajathree]

To the OP....asking a question like this on a specific board is most likely going to be swayed in the direction of the board asked...ie, Royal is going to lean in the Royal direction....if you have asked this same question on the Disney board I will bet that most lean in the Disney direction....so just keep that in mind.

[Friend100]

Yeah, I know what you mean. My neighborhood playground is the same way; totally overrun with screaming little rugrats running every which way. And darned if I can get a table at Chuck-E-Cheese anymore without some loudmouth little tot next to me. And every time I go to the circus, it's just wall-to-wall kids. I had hoped to enjoy a quiet, intimate evening at the Raffi concert, but wouldn't you know it, the joint was lousy with the little tykes.

 

So yeah, I know where you're coming from.

 

Honestly, I really love those screaming little rugrats or loudmouth little tot that you describe. I love to be around kids. That's me. ;)

[Friend100]

Our family of 5 with now older kids of 17, 15, and 11 chose the Allure over the Dream for this summer:

 

1) Known costs (we could sail for 7 nights on Allure versus 5 nights on Dream) in comparable cabins, and save enough to do a few nights at Disney World (if we wanted).

 

Our "known" costs for the Allure works out to be $168.36 per person, per day = Cruise + Taxes + Tips + one Johnny Rockets Lunch + one Rita Cantina Lunch + Soda plan for whole family.

 

Our "known" costs for the DCL Dream works out to be $238.84 per person, per day = Cruise + Taxes + Tips.

 

That add$ up fa$t for a family of 5...do the math!

 

And 2), We have exclusively sailed DCL before, and wanted to try RCI on a their newest ship

 

We will try the Dream in summer 2012, but DCL prices are really hard to take in this economy :(

 

In your situation (age of kids, have done DCL before and live in Florida), it makes sense to do Allure/Oasis. It will be a very different experience. DCL charges insane price :eek: for summer cruise and more insane price :eek::eek:for 3rd/4th/5th person, relative to many other cruiseline. I will only do DCL when they have kids sail free deal. Mine are 6 and 8 and still at perfect age to experience the Disney stuff.

 

I did the Dream last month as there was some non-price related factor and that only a Disney Dream cruise can have the appeal to support my case to "make it happen". Anyway, totally from a price standpoint, I agree there are more choices out there with better value.

[spookwife]

I

 

1- Do you mind being around so many kids

2- Do you want the casino because a disney cruise does not have a casino

3- Do you want to be seated in the dining room with children

4- Do you want to see mickey mouse and other disney characters around the ship

5- The ship has things that are shaped like the disney characters such as the pool may have mickey mouses head shape...

 

I not a child hater at all I love children and especially babies, but mine are grown and I rather have a more adult cruise where I can meet up and talk and get friendly with couples....its just me, I hate when kids run around the ship, play with the elevators and scream just not for me.

 

Its just a few things you need to consider, as for RC I LOVE IT OVERALL!!!

 

 

I fell the need to comment based onmy observations.

 

we are in our early 40s and CF by Choice. we do NOT like kids. and we chose Disney.

 

1: Disney does a FANTASTIC job of keeping the adult only areas exactly that. while the main pools are always crowded and noisy, the adult only one is always quiet and half empty. the Coffee bar in the adult area is peaceful and comfortable.

 

2: the casino area is where the kids programs are and I swear, even walking down the hallway it was dead quiet, you would NEVER know there were 300 kids running amuck behind those walls.

 

3: we have always been seated at larger tables with other couples. no kids. and it you can always ask to be moved it if is a problem, but we always saw families with like aged kids together.. whether they requested it or they were just assigned that way.

 

4; character interaction is in one or two areas and you are easily able to avoid these areas if you desire esp as you know up front when /where/who. you can even skip the character breakfast if you want(part of your dining rotation)

 

5: decor is part of the ambience just as some ships have giant gorgeous blown glass chandeliers or art Deco furnishings. its pretty tasteful all the way around with subtle mickey ears in the carpet or on the bar stools.

 

and as for your specific instance with kids running around the hallways/elevators.. TWICE i saw a senior Officer( not just a crew member ) politely but FIRMLY tell the rug rats to behave or their parents would be required to come get them and escort them at all times for the remainder of the cruise. and more than once when we attended a seminar billed as Adult only, people who brought children were reminded that they were not allowed.

 

we haven't doen RC yet, that is in about a year or so. But I found Disney to be VERY adult Friendly despite it's marketing as a Kid haven. even castaway Cay 's adult only area was grand. ( the BBQ there was apparently nicer than the main one with extra food choices)

[time4u2go]

To the OP....asking a question like this on a specific board is most likely going to be swayed in the direction of the board asked...ie, Royal is going to lean in the Royal direction....if you have asked this same question on the Disney board I will bet that most lean in the Disney direction....so just keep that in mind.

Exactly what I was thinking. If you haven't done so, you should also ask this in the DCL board. Many of the answers you get here (and there) will probably not exactly be impartial!;)

[kj55]

Thanks so much for all the thoughtful replies. I did post the question on the DIS boards and have not yet gotten the most useful feedback (i.e how are kids club on the Dream I have been on Magic so know how they are there). I have never used kids clubs on RCCL but have cruised with them alot and like the cruises. So getting info from those who had kids in the program was great.

Just my opinion but since all ages are together on Disney there is no way the councellors can look out for the little kids. My son is tough and he did join activities etc but he told us and we saw shy 3 year olds like my neices sitting in the corner doing nothing or being bullied by older kids. He would sit with my neices and protect them (he's only 31/2 now) We still used the kids club but we would only drop for 1 activity and pick up soon after - not exactly relaxing for us.

 

I am going on a celebrity cruise in a few weeks (sans kids) so would like to book on board for Allure if that is what we want to do - thanks for the info it does help!

[Babyberger]

Thanks so much for all the thoughtful replies. I did post the question on the DIS boards and have not yet gotten the most useful feedback (i.e how are kids club on the Dream I have been on Magic so know how they are there). I have never used kids clubs on RCCL but have cruised with them alot and like the cruises. So getting info from those who had kids in the program was great.

Just my opinion but since all ages are together on Disney there is no way the councellors can look out for the little kids. My son is tough and he did join activities etc but he told us and we saw shy 3 year olds like my neices sitting in the corner doing nothing or being bullied by older kids. He would sit with my neices and protect them (he's only 31/2 now) We still used the kids club but we would only drop for 1 activity and pick up soon after - not exactly relaxing for us.

 

I am going on a celebrity cruise in a few weeks (sans kids) so would like to book on board for Allure if that is what we want to do - thanks for the info it does help!

 

We haven't sailed on Disney so cant give you a comparison but I can share my RCI Adventure Ocean experiences with you. My younger kids were 4 and almost 6 when we sailed on Freedom in '09, the staff was great, friendly, attentive, everything you would hope for. Then last year we sailed on Oasis when they were 5 and 7, and the AO staff was INCREDIBLE!!! I cannot say enough great things about them!!! When my daughter (5) was a little upset and said she wanted to leave, they offered to take her to see her brother in the 6-8 group. Whenever we would see the AO staff around the ship they always talked to my kids and called them by name. They constantly went out of their way to make sure my kids were having a great time, and considering my son has special needs, that is saying A LOT!!! The AO manager kept a close eye on how many kids were being signed into each program and made sure she had the staffing ratios to handle it. They were a top notch staff that truly made our vacation possible!!!!

[storm1of4]

I have been on the Disney Dream. The Magic or Wonder can't even be compared to her. I love it. I have been on Liberty OTS but not Allure/Oasis yet.

 

Dream is 3/4/5 days Bahamas, Allure is 7-days. Both are good choice IMO. I loved Castaway Cay much much more than Labadee though.

 

If you have not been to a DCL cruise I would strongly recommend the Dream. If you still don't get it, just imagine a floating WDW.

 

Have fun!

 

 

OK .....you got me with the "just imagine a floating WDW!"

OMG.... I never ever want to go on the Dream if it is any thing like a Disney theme park. Are you kidding me? All thoses sweaty, pushy, silly people gawking about.... looking for Mickey Mouse...Not my idea of a cruise vacation!

Thanks for the tip

[Friend100]

Thanks so much for all the thoughtful replies. I did post the question on the DIS boards and have not yet gotten the most useful feedback (i.e how are kids club on the Dream I have been on Magic so know how they are there). I have never used kids clubs on RCCL but have cruised with them alot and like the cruises. So getting info from those who had kids in the program was great.

Just my opinion but since all ages are together on Disney there is no way the councellors can look out for the little kids. My son is tough and he did join activities etc but he told us and we saw shy 3 year olds like my neices sitting in the corner doing nothing or being bullied by older kids. He would sit with my neices and protect them (he's only 31/2 now) We still used the kids club but we would only drop for 1 activity and pick up soon after - not exactly relaxing for us.

 

I am going on a celebrity cruise in a few weeks (sans kids) so would like to book on board for Allure if that is what we want to do - thanks for the info it does help!

 

I sailed the Jan30 on Dream so they may have changed (better or worse :confused:) since then. The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab are one-big gigantic room. I like another poster's analogy of this is the "casino" on DCL, lol. It is very BIG. But I can't say it was very organized when I was there. My daughter (8) loved it and she spent 2 half-days there - playing in big and small group. My son (6), spent only 10 minutes there and desparate to get out. He'd rather play mini-golf and basketball outdoor. I guess every kid is just different. In any case, the kids club isn't that big of a thing for us.